Centering device



Oct. 19 1926. 1,603,263 I R. M. ALLEN CENTERING DEVICE Filed May 28. 1923 Patented Oct. 19, 1926.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ROY M. ALLEN, OF BLOOMFIELD, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR TO WESTERN ELECTRIC COMPANY, INCORPORATED, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

CEN TERIN G DE VICE.

Application filed May 28,

This invention relates to dial switches, and its primary object is to provide a simple means for adjusting the spring in a springoperated centering device so that the switch may operate easily, accurately and efficiently.

In accordance with the general features of this invention, means are provided for so adjusting the pressure of a springpressed roller that the switch may be operated with the greatest possible ease consistent with accuracy and that any loss in tension of the spring during the continued operation of the switch may be readily overcome. By means of the invention it is possible to use the same type of centering device with switchheads requiring different spring tensions.

The drawings show one embodiment of the invention. Fig. 1 is a side view of a dial switch showing a centering device with an adjustable spring tensioning means. F'g. 2 is a bottom view of the centering device.

In this device contacts 5 are preferably set in circularly disposed rows in one side of an insulating base 6. A set of brushes 7 carried by a centrally disposed shaft 9 is adapted to be moved in contacting relation with the contacts 5 by means of a manually operable knob 8 secured on one end portion of the shaft 9. On the other side of the base 6, there is securely mounted a corrugated member or disc 10 having corrugations which cooperate with a spring-pressed roller for holding the wiper 7 in adjusted position along the rows of contacts 5.

.The spring 13 which carries the roller 15 is preferably made in the shape of a thin metallic ring 18 secured to the free end portion 12 of an arm 11 secured to shaft A by means of rivets 14.

An adjustable set screw 16 carried by the 1923. Serial No, 641,816.

arm 11 is provided for adjusting the tension of the spring 13, and thereby the contacting pressure between the contacts 5 and the wiper 7, while holding these wipers firmly in adjusted position with respect to the contacts on which they may cooperate for establishing an electrical connection.

The invention claimed is:

1. In a dial switch, circular rows of contacts, brushes movable on said contacts, a centering device for said brushes comprising a spring-pressed roller bearing against a circular row of detents. and common means for varying the pressure of the roller upon the detents, and for simultaneously adjusting the pressure between the contacts and the brushes.

2. In combination, a base, a row of contacts thereon, wiping brushes therefor, a shaft on said base carrying the brushes, a corrugated member fixedly mounted on said base spring operated means secured on said shaft and movable in a plane parallel to said member for centering the brushes upon each of the contacts in order, and means to vary the tension of the spring for adjusting the pressure between the contacts and the brushes.

In combination a base, a row of contacts thereon, wiping brushes therefor, a shaft carrying said brushes. a, corrugated disc secured to said base, a circular spring on the shaft, an arm secured to the shaft, said spring being fastened to the extremity of said arm. a roller on the opposite sideof the spring and pressed thereby against the corrugated disc, and an adjustable screw in said projection bearing against the spring to vary the pressure of the roller against the corrugated disc.

In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name this 24th day of May A. D. 1923.

ROY M. ALLEN. 

